Thursday 31 March 2016

LAINI TAYLOR'S STRANGE THE DREAMER JACKET AND PROLOGUE REVEAL

I'm so pleased to announce that one of my most anticipated releases of the entire year, Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor, had it's office cover and prologue reveal today.

And here it is....

Left: UK Cover  Right: US Cover

It's absolutely stunning!  And I love that the sesign isn't a million miles away from the Daughter of Smoke and Bone covers.

Prologue

On the second sabbat of Twelfthmoon, in the city of Weep, a girl fell from the sky.

Her skin was blue, her blood was red.

She broke over an iron gate, crimping it on impact, and there she hung, impossibly arched, graceful as a temple dancer swooning on a lover’s arm. One slick finial anchored her in place. Its point, protruding from her sternum, glittered like a brooch. She fluttered briefly as her ghost shook loose, and then her hands relaxed, shedding fistfuls of freshly picked torch ginger buds.

Later, they would say these had been hummingbird hearts and not blossoms at all.

They would say she hadn’t shed blood but wept it. That she was lewd, tonguing her teeth at them, upside down and dying, that she vomited a serpent that turned to smoke when it hit the ground. They would say a flock of moths had come, frantic, and tried to lift her away.

That was true. Only that.

They hadn’t a prayer, though. The moths were no bigger than the startled mouths of children, and even dozens together could only pluck at the strands of her darkening hair until their wings sagged, sodden with her blood. They were purled away with the blossoms as a grit-choked gust came blasting down the street. The earth heaved underfoot. The sky spun on its axis. A queer brilliance lanced through billowing smoke, and the people of Weep had to squint against it. Blowing grit and hot light and the stink of saltpeter. There had been an explosion. They might have died, all and easily, but only this girl had, shaken from some pocket of the sky.

Her feet were bare, her mouth stained damson. Her pockets were all full of plums. She was young and lovely and surprised and dead.

She was also blue.

Blue as opals, pale blue. Blue as cornflowers, or dragonfly wings, or a spring—not summer—sky.

Someone screamed. The scream drew others. The others screamed, too, not because a girl was dead, but because the girl was blue, and this meant something in the city of Weep. Even after the sky stopped reeling, and the earth settled, and the last fume spluttered from the blast site and dispersed, the screams went on, feeding themselves from voice to voice, a virus of the air.

The blue girl’s ghost gathered itself and perched, bereft, upon the spearpoint-tip of the projecting finial, just an inch above her own still chest. Gasping in shock, she tilted back her invisible head and gazed, mournfully, up.

The screams went on and on.

And across the city, atop a monolithic wedge of seamless, mirror-smooth metal, a statue stirred, as though awakened by the tumult, and slowly lifted its great horned head.

Wednesday 30 March 2016

W...W...W...Wednesday 30/03/2016





To play along, just answer the following 3 questions:

What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?

My current read is Hope and Red by Jon Skovron
Hope and Red (Empire of Storms Trilogy #1)
I recently finished reading A Thousand Boy Kisses by Tillie Cole
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I think my next read will be The Girl With No Name by Diney Costeloe
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Waiting On Wednesday 30/03/2016 'Hex'



Waiting on Wednesday is all about sharing the books that I'm eagerly waiting to be released.


This week the book I’m waiting to be released is Hex by Thomas Olde Heuvelt.
Released 28th April.
Whoever is born here, is doomed to stay ’til death. Whoever settles, never leaves.

Welcome to Black Spring, the seemingly picturesque Hudson Valley town haunted by the Black Rock Witch, a seventeenth century woman whose eyes and mouth are sewn shut. Muzzled, she walks the streets and enters homes at will. She stands next to children’s bed for nights on end. Everybody knows that her eyes may never be opened or the consequences will be too terrible to bear.

The elders of Black Spring have virtually quarantined the town by using hightech surveillance to prevent their curse from spreading. Frustrated with being kept in lockdown, the town’s teenagers decide to break their strict regulations and go viral with the haunting. But, in so doing, they send the town spiraling into dark, medieval practices of the distant past.

This chilling novel heralds the arrival of an exciting new voice in mainstream horror and dark fantasy.

Tuesday 29 March 2016

Teaser Tuesday 29/03/2016 'Hope and Red'


Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

-Grab your current read


- Open to a random pageShare two “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
- BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)

- Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teaser.


This week’s teaser comes from page of Hope and Red by Jon Skovron.

I’m loving this book so far, way more than I anticipated.


 
 
Nettles wrapped her rough wool coat around herself more tightly.  “I don’t like this, Red.”
“The ale tastes different here.”  Filler wrinkled his nose at his tankard of dark.
“You two are my best wags, and you know it,” said Red.
“Do we?” Nettles glanced at Hope, the fourth and final person at the table.”

Monday 28 March 2016

Midnight Lily by Mia Sheridan


Format: Kindle Edition
Print Length: 244 pages
Publisher: Mia Sheridan (1 Mar. 2016)
ASIN: B01A0DLBOU
A standalone romance from the New York Times bestselling author of Archer's Voice.

Holden Scott is the prince of professional football. At least he was before he lost it all . . . or more to the point, before he threw it all away. Now he's out of a job, out of the public's good graces, and perhaps just a little out of his mind. So when a friend offers up his remote lodge in the wilds of Colorado, giving Holden some time away to get his life back on track, he can hardly say no. The last thing he expects is to see a beautiful girl in the woods—one wearing a white, lace dress who appears in the moonlight, and leaves no footprints behind. Is she a dream? A ghost? A product of his muddled imagination? Or something entirely different?

Midnight Lily is the haunting love story of two lost souls reaching for each other in the dark. A tale of healing, acceptance, and the worlds we create to protect our own hearts. It is a story of being lost, of being found, and of being in the place between.

THIS IS A STAND-ALONE SIGN OF LOVE NOVEL, INSPIRED BY VIRGO. Non-Paranormal, New Adult Contemporary Romance: Due to strong language and sexual content, this book is not intended for readers under the age of 18.


Cover:  Pretty but isn't particularly speical or stand out.

I've read a few of Mia Sheridan's books now, but Archer's Voice remains my absolute favourite.
And unfortunately nothing has quite matched up to it.
And it's the same with Midnight Lily.
I was really looking forward to this release but I find myself quite disappointed by it.
It was just kind of strange.
Holden and Lily meet in the forest.  Or at least Holden thinks they do....he's not entirely sure that she's real, and not a figment of his drug induced imagination.

It was a very fast moving 'romance'.  I don't think there was any time for me to truly grow attached to these characters because I didn't really get to know them.  I was told things about them, I don't think I was truly shown them.

It was a bit of a weird storyline, and in parts, felt close to ridiculous.

I felt parts were a troubling portratal of both mental illness and the grieving process.

Over all, this book was a strange one.  I didn't hate it, but I was disappointed, and I didn't love it.
For me, I think Archer's Voice will just always be my favourites.

Wednesday 23 March 2016

Waiting On Wednesday 23/03/2016 'Listen To Me'



Waiting on Wednesday is all about sharing the books that I'm eagerly waiting to be released.




This week the book that I'm waiting on to be released is Listen To Me by Kristen Proby.
I'm a big fan of Kirsten's In Seattle, Under The Big Sky and Boudreaux series, so I'm excited to read Listen To Me, the first in the new Fusion series.

Released 12th April.

In New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Kristen Proby’s brand new series, five best friends open a hot new restaurant, but one of them gets much more than she bargained for when a sexy former rock star walks through the doors—and into her heart.
Seduction is quickly becoming the hottest new restaurant in Portland, and Addison Wade is proud to claim 1/5 of the credit. She’s determined to make it a success and can’t think of a better way to bring in new customers than live music. But when former rock star Jake Keller swaggers through the doors to apply for the weekend gig, she knows she’s in trouble. Addie instantly recognizes him—his posters were plastered all over her bedroom walls in high school—he’s all bad boy...exactly her type and exactly what she doesn’t need.
Jake Keller walked away from the limelight five years ago and yearns to return to what’s always driven him: the music. If he gets to work for a smart-mouthed, funny-as-hell bombshell, all the better. But talking Addie into giving him the job is far easier than persuading her that he wants more than a romp in her bed. Just when she begins to drop her walls, Jake’s past finally catches up with him.
Will Addie be torn apart once again or will Jake be able to convince her to drown out her doubts and listen to her heart?

W...W...W...Wednesday 23/03/2016


To play along, just answer the following 3 questions:

What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?
 
My current read is A Thousand Boy Kisses by Tillie Cole
 
I recently finished reading Midnight Lily by Mia Sheridan
 
I think my next read will be Hope and Red by Jon Skovron
 

Monday 21 March 2016

Starry Night by Debbie Macomber

Paperback: 272 pages
Publisher: Arrow (21 Nov. 2013)
ISBN-10: 0099564122
ISBN-13: 978-0099564126

'Tis the season for love and second chances...Carrie Slayton, a big-city society-page columnist, longs to write more serious news stories. So her editor hands her a challenge first: Carrie must score the paper an interview with Finn Dalton, the notoriously reclusive author.

Living in Alaskan wilderness, Finn has written a bestselling book about surviving in the wild. But he stubbornly declines to speak to anyone, and no one even knows exactly where he lives. With her career at stake, Carrie sacrifices her family celebrations and flies out to snowy Alaska. When she finally finds Finn, she discovers a man both more charismatic and more stubborn than she expected. And soon Carrie is torn between pursuing the story of a lifetime and following her heart.


 
Cover:  A cute cover that definitely drew me to it- thought it looked like the perfect cosy Christmas read.

I picked up this book on a total whim, as a good read over Christmas. 
And it was perfect for that.  A quick, fluffy read set over the festive period.
While I enjoyed it, it felt lacking in some way.
Like the characters were cute, and there were some funny moments, but I didn't feel any chemistry there- like the passion was missing.
Over all, I did enjoy reading it, but it wasn't a favourite and it hasn't inspired me to pick up another Debbie Macomber in the near future.

2/5 stars.

Thursday 17 March 2016

Marked In Flesh (The Others #4) by Anne Bishop

Hardcover: 416 pages
Publisher: ROC (10 Mar. 2016)
ISBN-10: 0451474473
ISBN-13: 978-0451474476

"Fourth in the flawless (The Reading Cafe) "New York Times "bestsellingseries from theauthor of "Vision in Silver. For centuries, the Others and humans have lived side by side in uneasy peace. But when humankind oversteps its bounds, the Others will have to decide how much humanity they re willing to tolerate both within themselves and within their community... Since the Others allied themselves with the "cassandra sangue," the fragile yet powerful human blood prophets who were being exploited by their own kind, the delicate dynamic between humans and Others changed. Some, like Simon Wolfgard, wolf shifter and leader of the Lakeside Courtyard, and blood prophet Meg Corbyn, see the new, closer companionship as beneficial both personally and practically. But not everyone is convinced. A group of radical humans is seeking to usurp land through a series of violent attacks on the Others. What they don t realize is that there are older and more dangerous forces than shifters and vampires protecting the land that belongs to the Others and those forces are willing to do whatever is necessary to protect what is theirs..."
Cover:  I love these covers.  They're even more stunning in person, and when you see the covers all together, and you see how Meg, develops on the covers, it matches her character growth in the stories.  I love it!

Ahh this series.
Wait an entire year for a book.  And then bam!!
It's over and done with for another year.
But I couldn't hold off reading this one, even if I wanted to.
This series has a special place in my heart.
It's just so completely unique.  I can honestly say I've not read anything else quite like it.
I bang on about this series to anyone that will listen to me.
If you haven't picked this series up- you really need to!!

This series never fails to deliver for me.
In this instalment - wow, some stuff really goes down with the HFL- Humans First and Last Movement are upping the anty against the terra indigene with some serious ramifications for human kind.

We get to see more of the Elders of the Wild County, the ancient terra indigene, and I have to say, they're pretty terrifying.

Also get to see more in the development of Simon and Meg's relationship...I ship them so hard!!!  Even though there's no 'romance' as such, things are developing there, and as much as I want, no NEED it to happen, each book is a slow burn heading in that direction, and I adore it as much as it frustrates me.

5/5 stars!  Favourite book of the year so far.

And now the wait for #5 begins...

Monday 14 March 2016

Castle Hill (On Dublin Street 2.5) by Samantha Young

    18805717
  • Format: Kindle Edition
  • Print Length: 83 pages
  • Publisher: Piatkus (3 Dec. 2013)
  • ASIN: B00GNHMWQE
Braden Carmichael never imagined he'd fall as hard and as fast as he did for Jocelyn Butler. He also could not have anticipated how difficult it would be to convince her to give in to love. But now that he has her, he's never letting go. He's got it all planned - the passionate proposal, the dream wedding, the sexy Hawaiian honeymoon - even the perfect family they'll start.

After trying to flee from her painful past, Joss is finally allowing herself to embrace the future. But when things start moving faster than she anticipated, she finds herself panicking over something Braden can't understand. After everything they've been through, Joss is sure that their love can survive even her worst fears. But, this time, she may push Braden too far - and risk losing everything all over again...


Cover:  Not really a fan of this cover, it’s a bit gloomy.

I loved Joss and Braden’s book in this series, right at the very beginning with On Dublin Street, and it was great to catch up with them again in this novella.  Seeing how their relationship is going, and there’s some pleasant surprises.
Definitely a must read for fans of the series.

4.5/5 stars.

Thursday 10 March 2016

Booking Through Thursday 10/03/2016 #2


Booking Through Thursday is a weekly meme hosted byBooking Through Thursday and a different question is posted every week.

Spring is coming unusually fast this year (at least here in the Northeast). Do your reading habits change as we get into the warmer months?

I don't think my reading habits really change.  I may pick books considered 'beach reads' - light, fluffy romance reads, but I do read them year round.

Booking Through Thursday 10/03/2016 #1


Booking Through Thursday is a weekly meme hosted byBooking Through Thursday and a different question is posted every week.
I missed last week's post, so decided to post it today!


Do you own multiple copies of any books? Why? Is it the format? Size? Just because you love it?


I do own a few books in multiple editions.   Some books just seem to multiply on my shelves.

There are some where I've been sent an advance copy, and then either been sent or have bought a finished copy.

There are some books that I've read that have become favourites.
For example I have 5 copies of The Fault In Our Stars by John Green (Which I admit is exscessive).
Unsigned US hardback.
Signed US hardback.
Signed UK paperback.
Movie Tie-In edition.
Audio book as read by John Green.

3 Copies of Paper Towns by John Green-
Signed UK paperback
Signed US hardback
UK movie-tie in edition

2 copies of Looking For Alaska by John Green
UK paperback
US Anniversary hardback edition

I also have two copies of Me Before You by Jojo Moyes-
UK paperback and the US hardback....and I will probably add the movie tie-in edition when it is released.

For me, the biggest reason I end up with multiple editions is because I've loved that book so much, and it's the publisher's fault for releasing so many editions!!! Lol.

Sometimes a book becomes a favourite, and I have the paperback, but I want a more durable hardback etc.


Wednesday 9 March 2016

Waiting On Wednesday 09/03/2016 'Walk The Edge'




Waiting on Wednesday is all about sharing the books that I'm eagerly waiting to be released.

This week the book that I'm waiting to be released is Walk The Edge by Katie McGarry, the second book in her Thunder Road series.
Released March 29th.

17928147One moment of recklessness will change their worlds.

Smart. Responsible. That's seventeen-year-old Breanna's role in her large family, and heaven forbid she put a toe out of line. Until one night of shockingly un-Breanna-like behavior puts her into a vicious cyber-bully's line of fire—and brings fellow senior Thomas "Razor" Turner into her life. 

Razor lives for the Reign of Terror motorcycle club, and good girls like Breanna just don't belong. But when he learns she's being blackmailed over a compromising picture of the two of them—a picture that turns one unexpected and beautiful moment into ugliness—he knows it's time to step outside the rules. 

And so they make a pact: he'll help her track down her blackmailer, and in return she'll help him seek answers to the mystery that's haunted him—one that not even his club brothers have been willing to discuss. But the more time they spend together, the more their feelings grow. And suddenly they're both walking the edge of discovering who they really are, what they want, and where they're going from here.

W...W...W...Wednesday 09/03/2016


To play along, just answer the following 3 questions:

What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?

My current read is Marked In Flesh by Anne Bishop
22062202
I recently finished reading Kare First Love Vol. 3
1819719
I think my next read will be Life After Life by Kate Atkinson
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Wednesday 2 March 2016

Waiting On Wednesday 02/03/2016



Waiting on Wednesday is all about sharing the books that I'm eagerly waiting to be released.

This week the book I'm waiting on is Marked In Flesh, book 4 in The Others series by Anne Bishop.  This is one of my ALL TIME favourite series and I'm highly anticipating the next installment.
Released March 10th.
For centuries, the Others and humans have lived side by side in uneasy peace. But when humankind oversteps its bounds, the Others will have to decide how much humanity they’re willing to tolerate—both within themselves and within their community...

Since the Others allied themselves with the cassandra sangue, the fragile yet powerful human blood prophets who were being exploited by their own kind, the delicate dynamic between humans and Others changed. Some, like Simon Wolfgard, wolf shifter and leader of the Lakeside Courtyard, and blood prophet Meg Corbyn, see the new, closer companionship as beneficial—both personally and practically.

But not everyone is convinced. A group of radical humans is seeking to usurp land through a series of violent attacks on the Others. What they don’t realize is that there are older and more dangerous forces than shifters and vampires protecting the land that belongs to the Others—and those forces are willing to do whatever is necessary to protect what is theirs…

W...W...W...Wednesday 02/03/2016


To play along, just answer the following 3 questions:

What are you currently reading?
What did you recently finish reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?
My current read is Misconduct by Penelope Douglas
I recently finished reading The Girl You Left Behind by Jojo Moyes
I think my next read will be Marked In Flesh by Anne Bishop, as soon as it arrives.